On 30/6, Doctor Vu Quang Nghia, Head of the Orthopedic Trauma Department at Bai Chay Hospital, reported that the patient's condition was temporarily stable and she was conscious following emergency surgery.

The girl was admitted earlier in severe pain, her left hand still deeply trapped inside the meat grinder, with significant bleeding. The on-duty team immediately initiated intensive resuscitation, administering pain medication and sedatives, intubating to secure her airway, then coordinating to dismantle the device to free her limb.

Subsequent X-ray results confirmed that the entire left hand, from finger 2 to finger 5, was crushed, with anatomical structures destroyed and beyond preservation. Therefore, doctors performed an amputation to retain the maximum healthy limb portion, prevent infection, and prepare the patient for a prosthetic hand in the future.

Emergency, trauma, and intensive care specialists collaborated with medical equipment engineers to dismantle the grinder and free the trapped hand. Photo: Provided by hospital.

According to Doctor Nghia, accidents involving grinders and crushing machines often result in severe consequences. The high twisting force and rotational speed of these devices pull limbs inward, causing complex damage to muscles, tendons, bones, blood vessels, and nerves simultaneously. Many cases are so severely crushed that they are beyond reconstruction, forcing medical professionals to amputate the limb to save the victim's life.

These incidents occur not only in large factories and production workshops but are increasingly common in food businesses, agricultural processing facilities, and even within households where people use high-powered grinders.

To prevent accidents, doctors advise people never to use their hands to directly push ingredients into the tray while the machine is running. Additionally, the power supply must be completely disconnected before cleaning or disassembling the equipment.

Families and production facilities should install protective covers, adhere to safe operating procedures, and keep machines out of reach of children. If an accident unfortunately occurs, bystanders must immediately disconnect the power, administer first aid to stop bleeding, and quickly transport the victim along with the machine to the nearest medical facility. It is crucial not to forcefully pull the hand out, as this could worsen the injury.

Thuy An